Genesis

The interpretation method of higher critics looks at scripture from the context of literature, religion and social customs of that period. This position holds that scripture is not inspired but rather a compilation of legends, stories and traditions. It denies the divine inspiration of Genesis.

The interpretational method of textual scholars seeks to determine meaning from studying the text and related manuscripts. This method does not consider external phenomena or social stimulus as critical to interpretation. One of the problems some have in accepting the textual scholar's view is that they see variations in events in Genesis from other texts as the same level of validity as scripture itself. A strength of this method is that later discoveries from science, archeological efforts and scholarly reviews have shown the content of Genesis to be accurate.

A group of writers after Moses

This view suggests that several writers compiled various stories and traditions from the region and society of the time. These were compiled between 700 and 400 BC. Moses is then credited as the author to provide this view with authority and authenticity.

Moses as the author

This is a traditional view stating that Moses authored the first 5 books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch). It states that Moses received direct revelation from God, information from oral traditions and collected written records of the past and organized them into a book under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Although possible and plausible, this is not the normal way God provides inspiration for communicating His will.

Moses as compiler and editor

This holds that Moses compiled written records preserved from the patriarchs. The records were preserved, and Moses collected these and edited them under that guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Although each of these theories presents insights into possible authorship, the theory that it was a group of writers has been refuted by modern scholars. The other two with Moses as the author is the most likely scenario.

• Chapters 1-11 – God creates the world and man. Explains how sin came into existence and how nations, governments, language and other elements of life and society began.
• Chapters 12-50 – Explains how God formed His people through His choice and promise to Abram (Abraham) and through this people worked out His plan to redeem mankind.

This structural view of Genesis shows how each generation from Adam to Jacob describes the spread of mankind in the world and God's role in working out His plan to save mankind through these people.

• Matthew 19:4-5; Mark 10:6-7 – God instituting marriage and the family.
• Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51 – Jesus references Abel as a historical, righteous person
• Matthew 24:37-39 – Jesus comparing His return to the flood and how many will be unprepared.
• Mark 13:19 – Jesus referring to God creating the world.
• John 8:44 – The devil is a liar and a murderer "from the beginning".

The significance of Jesus referring to Genesis is that (1) Jesus' teaching of God the Father as the creator of the world and mankind. (2) Jesus identifying the presence and character of the devil and bringing evil into the world. (3) Jesus identifying events and individuals from scripture showing their real existence in history.

Genesis is inspired scripture and serves as a foundation for our faith and continued spiritual growth. It also serves as a foundation point from which we can teach others about God's promise to redeem us from sin (Genesis 3:15).